Autism Website for Parents

Click left, and it's a toddler doing things toddlers do when they don't have autism. Like getting the cue that that grownup wants to be handed the bottle.Â Click right and here a toddler who has autism, just never seems to get it.

It seems like a subtle difference that lots of kids might have missed that cue, but such are the distinctions experts look for when making a diagnosis of autism.Â

There are many other behaviors that can signal autism in young children. The Autism Speaks site has posted as what it calls a glossary of them designed for parents might refer to.Â

"The video glossary is a great first stop if parents even suspect there might be something wrong.Â It's a safe place to go and find out 'is my childÂ okay or do I need to talk to my doctor further," said Dr. Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks.

There are literally hundreds of books available for parents that describe symptoms of autism. The drawback to books is that diagnosing autism correctly requires real observation. There is no bloodtest for autism. There is no genetic screen for it.Â You actually have to see children in action.

"I would be worried if parents used this as a diagnostic tool to look at a single part and say my child does this, my child is autistic," said Dr. Patricia Granier of Ochsner Medical Center.

What everyone does agree on is that the earlier you spot autism the sooner you can take steps to help these kids, and there are steps to take.